PCOS Prescription: Althea, an Oral Contraceptive Pill

A follow up post from my PCOS Journey, I am on my fifth Althea pack for this year’s new cycle. I must start all over again after the test results and hopefully with the next steps, I can finally be pregnant. Looking back through this PCOS journey, I’ve noticed that contraceptives are taboo in the country. I was quiet when the news on Reproductive Health Bill came out, nor the banning of importation of the OCP in 2020. It saddens me, but I have no energy to be a keyboard warrior as I know the government will not listen to the minority.

It’s funny, when I will buy this, people in the pharmacy will look at me with their judging eyes like I was to abort a baby. It’s ironic how I always buy a pregnancy test kit along with it, you know just a hope that maybe, I can be pregnant.

You may get Althea with or without prescription but I highly suggest that you should see a doctor as there are other brands and dosages in the market. The doctor would know what is the best pill to prescribe. The doctor prescribed Althea again as I already know how to take it.

Some women may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, chloasma (melasma), skin or hair changes, headache, water retention, slight weight change, breast tenderness, changes in libido. Menstrual irregularities such as spotting, breakthrough bleeding, or amenorrhea can occur with its use.

Effects

At first, your body will adjust, my symptoms were breast tenderness, headache and nausea. I could barely imagine how a morning sickness will be as I always want to throw up every morning. After some time, the side effects went away.

The results were visible too, my skin is clearer and of course, I have my period on time. I should finish the entire six month cycle and check if my period will be normal.

It never entered my mind that PCOS, for a dreaming mother like me could be dreadful. But don’t fret if you are like me, hopefully next year, I can write about my real pregnancy.